Ways to Apply 3 Senses to Keep Holiday Guests Comfortable

Ever notice how things as simple as the pleasant smell of a familiar recipe or the sound of a peaceful song triggers something inside you? Thats because senses could power over cognition or emotion.

In the Tufts University Blog ' Emotion on the Brain ' one author wrote: "our emotional reactions can be guided by sensory information [for example] coffee is linked with a sense of energy, positive feelings, and it essentially a hug in a cup." Associations in this example can be made from the sight of a cup of coffee, the smell of it, the sound of a coffee maker, or even the taste of it, says the author.

In an article published at Ambius.com, one author writes that smell has a strong influence on the emotions we feel in our daily lives; it could even affect dreams, stress, and love, according to the Saga Magazine article " How Smell Affects Your Mind and Body. "

Author Yuna Ferguson's research published in The Journal of Positive Psychology found a correlation between music and moods: "it could boost overall happiness."(Healthline)

"Descriptions of taste are very often associated with strong emotions. They express in words states of intense pleasure as well as displeasure having to do with our evolution," according to US National Library of Medicine.

This holiday season, as you get ready to have a house full of guests, apply smell, sound, and taste to help family and friends feel more comfortable.

Smell

Add these candles (or ones similar to them) to your home; they evoke holiday cheer, take people back to their childhood, and make them want to cozy up on a chilly winter night according to The Huffington Post:

1. Fresh Balsm by Bath and Body Works - crisp eucalyptus, fir needles, and cedar wood musk.
2. Candy Cane Lane by Yankee Candle - tingly peppermint, sweet cookies, and creamy vanilla icing.
3. Sparkling Spruce by Glade smells like a fresh rain forest.

Not a candle fan? A few drops of essential oils placed in a diffusor with scents like peppermint, cedar wood, and fir needles will work.

Sound

As your out-of-town guests settle in to spend the night, try playing some calming music to help them unwind. RYOT published the article the ' 10 Most Scientifically Relaxing Songs in the World :'

1. Marconi Union, 'Weightless'
2. Airstream, 'Electra'
3. DJ Shah 'Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)'
4. Enya, 'Watermark'
5. Coldplay, 'Stawberry Swing'
6. Barcelona, 'Please Dont Go'
7. All Saints, 'Pure Shores'
8. Adelle, 'Someone Like You'
9. Mozart, 'Canzonetta Sull Aria'
10. Caf Del Mar, 'We Can Fly'

hese songs are each available on YouTube and can be added to a playlist for easy listening.

Taste

Your home will likely be filled with plenty of comforting tasty treats! We recommend having extra:

• Gingerbread cookies (stored in a jar for after hours snacking)
• Chamomile tea bags with honey
• Hot chocolate with marshmallows
• Chocolate chip cookies
• Pecan pie

What are some holiday smells, sounds, and tastes that put you in a good mood? Let us know on our Facebook page.